Naples Restaurants Brace for Hurricane Season

## Hurricane Season in Naples: “I Still Have Nightmares” – And So Do My Orchids (Plus, How to Prep YOUR Paradise) Hey Naples neighbors! Can you believe it’s *that* time of year again? The air is thick, the sunsets are fiery, and that familiar knot of anxiety tightens in our stomachs. It’s hurricane season. And while we sip our iced teas and pretend everything’s normal, let’s be honest, the ghosts of Ian still linger. I was chatting with Tony, the owner of Tony’s Pizzeria down on Fifth, the other day, and he summed it up perfectly: “I still have nightmares.” He’s not alone. Up and down our beautiful coastline, from the ritzy mansions on Port Royal to the cozy bungalows in Old Naples, we’re all bracing ourselves. Even my orchids seem to be quivering in their pots! This isn’t just another news story; it’s our reality. Hurricane season in Naples isn’t just a few months of potential bad weather. It’s a cultural touchstone, a shared experience that binds us together like a tightly woven hurricane shutter. We swap stories, compare notes on generator wattage, and collectively hold our breath until the all-clear is finally given. So, let’s ditch the denial and dive headfirst into what we need to know to survive (and maybe even thrive) during this hurricane season. Think of this as your friendly neighborhood guide to weathering the storm, Naples style. **The Ian Effect: Still Recovering, Still Preparing** Let’s not sugarcoat it, Ian left a mark. Not just on our landscape, but on our psyches. We saw firsthand the destructive power of Mother Nature, and the recovery process has been long and arduous. Driving around town, you still see blue tarps patching roofs, construction crews buzzing around damaged buildings, and that lingering sense of “what if?” in the air. This year, the anxiety feels different. It’s less about the unknown and more about the “known-too-well.” We’ve seen what can happen, and we’re taking it seriously. I overheard two ladies at the Seed to Table the other day discussing their hurricane kits like seasoned preppers. They were comparing brands of canned goods and debating the merits of battery-powered versus hand-crank radios. This is our new normal, folks. **Beyond the Plywood: Prepping Your Naples Paradise** Okay, enough doom and gloom. Let’s talk action. We can’t control the weather, but we *can* control how prepared we are. Here’s your Naples-specific hurricane preparedness checklist, going beyond the basics: * **Hurricane Kit 2.0:** Forget the generic checklist. We need a Naples edition! Think bug spray (lots of it!), sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and a good supply of those delicious mosquito repellent candles. Don’t forget a manual can opener and a deck of cards for those long power outages. And if you have pets, make sure they have their own emergency kit too. * **Protecting Your Paradise (and Your Pocketbook):** Insurance is your best friend during hurricane season. Review your policy, understand your deductibles, and make sure you have adequate flood insurance (even if you’re not in a flood zone – remember Ian?). Consider taking photos or videos of your belongings as proof of ownership. Trust me, it’s a lifesaver if you need to file a claim. * **Evacuation Plan: Naples Edition:** Know your evacuation zone. Seriously, look it up now. Don’t wait until the last minute. Have a plan for where you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you’ll take with you. If you have pets, identify pet-friendly shelters or hotels in advance. Remember, traffic getting out of Naples can be a nightmare, so plan accordingly. * **Securing Your Slice of Paradise:** Trim those palm trees, secure loose objects in your yard, and consider hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows. If you have a boat, make sure you have a plan for securing it. And for those of you with precious orchids (like me!), bring them inside and secure them in a safe place. * **Community Connections:** Hurricane season is a time when our community truly shines. Check in on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or live alone. Share information, resources, and moral support. We’re all in this together. **Staying Informed: Beyond the Hype** Information is power during hurricane season. But with so much noise out there, it can be hard to know what to trust. Here are your go-to resources for accurate and up-to-the-minute information: * **The National Hurricane Center:** This is your bible. Period. * **Collier County Emergency Management:** Sign up for their alerts and stay informed about local evacuation orders and shelter information. * **Local News Outlets:** Stay tuned to trusted local news sources for updates and on-the-ground reporting. But be wary of social media rumors – stick to official sources. **Beyond the Storm: Rebuilding, Resilient Naples** Hurricane season is a test of our resilience, our preparedness, and our community spirit. It’s a reminder that we live in a paradise that requires respect and vigilance. But it’s also a testament to the strength and determination of the people who call Naples home. We rebuild, we recover, and we come back stronger than ever. So, let’s raise a glass (of hurricane-proof iced tea, of course) to another hurricane season. Let’s be prepared, stay informed, and support each other. Because that’s what we do in Naples. We weather the storms, together. And maybe, just maybe, my orchids will survive this year too.